Matrix



(No Mbdel.)

y fw. W.STRB'B"T 'an' o, L. TRAVIS. JUSTIFYING ATTACHMENT FOR; MATRIXMAKlNG MACHINES. No; ,1480,35'0- Milk) i i 4 {No Model.) l

A 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 w. ,w. STREET & o. L. TRAVIS.'Y A l l JUSTIPYINGATTACHMENT FOB. MATRIX MAKING MACHINES. "No. 480,350.

Patented Aug. 9, 1892. JziyJ/f. 177.14

il ,in Il! im 'jim MIU;

* UNITED STATES PATENT einen,

VILLOUGHBY IV. STREET ANI)` CHARLES LESLIE TRAVIS, OF MINNEAPOLIS,MINNESOTA, ASSIGNORS TO THE MINNEAPOLIS ELECTRO MATRIX COMPANY,v OF SAMEPLACE.

JUSTIFYING ATTACHMENT FOR MATRlX-lVlAKING MACHINESl` SPECIFICATIONforming7 part of Letters Patent No. 480,350, dated August 9, 1892.Application tiled Api-i1 12, 1890. i Serial lNo. 347,696. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known' that we, WILLOUGHBY W. STREET and CHARLES LESLIE TRAVIS,citizens of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county ofHennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Justifying Attaehments for Matrix-Making Machines; andwe do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as'will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to matrix-making machines of the single-die class,wherein the impression is madefn the matrix material by a series of diesbrought in succession 'tothe printing-point. In this class of machines aprinted impression, in appearance like newspaper or book print withjustified lines, is produced by differentially-spaced dies,correspending dilerential feed movements of the matrix material,and theproper distribution of Spaces from pre-prepared eopy between words. Thecopy isl prepared by measurement with the common scale used for thedies, the feed movements of the matrix-machine and the newspaperline,and the notation thereon of the extra spaces required to till outthe line. In practice this preparation is effected on a type-Writerhaving' a differential registering device or Space-indicator whichregisters like spaces forlikecharactcrs, the same as thematrix-machine,the extra spaces lett. over, if any, at the end of the line beingindicated by a numeral. The numberof extra spaces required vto be thrownin between words is thus predetermined and made known to the operator onthe matrix-machine. In the plan generally hitherto pursued theoperatorafter noting' the numberofwords in the line and making a calculation asto the best distribution of the extra spaces, throws the same in betweenthe words by a proper nianipulation of the space-keys. As the number ofextra spaces and the number of words-in a line varies widely, thisrequires the most careful attention, and the.

best of operators will frequently make a mistake, thus failing tojustify the line, necessitating the destruction of the matrix.

The object of our invention is to provide a machine by which thedistribution of the extra spaces may be automatically effected. To thisend we provide a mechanism which will vary the space-feed movement, soas to put in between Words other than normal spaces, and by firstpredetermining the extra spaces in the customary manner and thenadjusting the mechanism to make the required variation oi the spacemovement, the extra spaces are distributed automatically by theoperation of the normal space mechanism of the machine with vabsolutecertainty and precision. as the operator is concerned, into simplysetting a pointer at the total number of extra 'units and then operatingthe machine for normal spacing, just as it there were no extra units ofspace to consider'. In other words, we provide a mechanism for automaticjustiication, resulting; in a great saving` of material and time andenabling the employment of lower-priced operators.

Though capable of general application, our invention was especiallydesigned for use in connect-ion with matrix making machines,illustrations of which may be found in the Patents Nos. 414,39?) and414,400, issued to George A. Goodson of date November 5, 1889, and wehave shown the invention as applied to such a machine,

In matrix-machines of the general character to which theV presentinvention is applied the dies are carried onione end of a swinging andsliding lever having a hand-key at the other end moving over auindex-plate on the bed. Thefeedmovementsarecontrolledelectrically fromthe index-plate, the act of seleetinfY the characters on theindex-plateserv- 111g to align the selected die and to close acircuitJ foreltecting,r the. proper corresponding setA of space-keys are connectedin multiple for electrically controlling,r the matrix-materialvcz'trriag-e to eilect the proper spacing between irords.

ln the accompanying,r drawings, Figure I is a plan view of amatrix-machine embodying our invention, some parts being removed. Fig.II isaside elevation of apartof the same, the one unit space-key beingremoved. Fig.

In practice it. revolves itself, so far vfecd movement of the matrixmaterial, and a d ICO III is an elevation of the justifier detached.Fig. IV is a right side elevation of same; Fig. V, a let`t-sideelevation with some parts broken away. Figs. VI and VII are frontelevations of same with face-plate removed a-nd some parts broken away,showing two extreme positions of the cam-plate and switch. Fig.

VIIIv is a section on line X X' of Fig. VII, and

Fig. IX is a front elevation of some parts detached.

A is the table on which the machine is mounted.

B is the bed-plate of the machine.

B is the index-plate with perforations or key-seats a.

HB2 is the die-carrier.

B3 is the matrix-material.carriage under tension. (Not shown.)

B4 BS are the escapement and stops' for controlling the same. Five ofthese stops are movable and the sixth is stationary.

b is the electro-magnet for releasing the escapement.

b b2 b3, '&c., are the electro-magnets for controllingthe stops B5.

C ,C2 are respectively the positive and nega tive binding-posts of agenerator.

D is the outgoing wire charging the entire bed of the machine. i

D2 is the return-wire of same coming froi escapement-magnet.

1,2, 3, 4,5,and 6 represent thc feed-circuits. They are all branches ofthe main circuit, taken from the bed passing through the respectivegroups ot contacts (not shown) under the index-plate, and, with theexception ot No. 6, all passing through the respective correspondingstop-controllin,f.,1r feed-magnets. No. 6 passes directly to theescapement-magnet, permitting the escapcment to throw to its limitagainst the stationary member of the stops.

E E2 E3 E4, &c., are a set et' spacing-keys pivoted on plate F,chargedby wire D3 or otherwise from bed B. These space-keys correspond to therespective feed-circuits'l 2 3 4, &c., and are all provided withcorresponding contacts c e2 e3 c4, the., thereunder. (Only e2 shown.)Each of thesecontacts, with the exception of c2, is directly connectedup in multi ple in the corresponding' fced-circuit. 'lhe space-keybranches or loops ot the circuits are normally open at the keys, thelatter being held away from the contacts by a springbailF. Wil-h thesespace-keys and theircleetrical connections the feed movements may becontrolled by hand to effect any spacing desired and is the meanshitherto generally used on such machines for this purpose. With ourattachment the normal spacekey contact et is not directly connected inthe corresponding feed-circuits, but the connection ismade indirectlythrough the justifier to a switch or pivoted contact movable over fixedcontacts corresponding to and connected with said spacingcircuits. lhisswitch is automatically operated by a cam-plate, which is set ortizitwfmimmmmmamm .W

4adj usted by hand at the beginning of the line f cuits are indicated inFig. I 'and marked 2 3 Referring now to Figs. III to IX, inclusive, thedetailed construction of the justifier is as follows:

G G G is a suitable case-ot' which G `is the face-plate, G the body,andG the baseplate for securing the ease in position.

' H is the switch or pivoted spring-contact under tension by spring Il',pivtally attached at itsupper end to a hardrubber plate h,`se sured tothe back of the case.

I-l2 Ila H4, dac., are contacts fixed at 'short distances apart to ahard-rubber plate h ,secured to the back of the ease, directly under andinV a position to make contact with the free end of the switch H. Theswitch I-Iis in circuit with contact e2 under normal space-key E2, andthe fixed contacts II2 113, dsc., with the spacing-cireuits by branches2 34, &c., as before noted. l l

K is a post or pintle fixed to the back plate of the case at about itscenter and projecting outward throughl the face-plate ol the same.

L isa cam-plate with extended hubs mounted on the post K.

M is a shield or cut-off level' having 'au extended hub loosely mountedon theinnerhub of cam-plate L.

N is a pawl carrying lever having hub loosely mounted on the vhub of thelever M and is provided with a pivoted spring-pawl N at its ,outer end.

I I is a lever pivoted at the lower end ot' its stem to the case.

P" is an arm or bar of -hard rubber pivotally attached to the lever land is slotted to receive avstud h of the switch ll. 'lhc arm l of leverPis provided with notches or teeth at its upper surface for engagementwith a heel-like extension N ot' the pa\vllever N. The stem of the leverI is also slotted near its upper` end to receive a stud M on anangularlyextended arm lll of. the shield-lcver M. also provided with anoutwardly-projectng cam-stud p.- Q is au operating-arm or connecting-rodconnected at one cud to the pawllever N and at the other to an extensionot the normal space-key'l12. 'lhc cam-plate L is provided withr a seriesof cam-surfaces l, l", l, Z, l5, and l", located at different distancesfrom ,the common axis or center, the latter five of whichk,cam-surfacesare madeeontinuous in abroken ath and correspond,respectively, to the fixed contacts ll24 ll, &c., while the first namedor surface is located so as to --have its beginning entirely outside theoutermost of the others viz., l" -and its terminus 'lhe arm l of thelever l is IOO at the same radial distance as the innermost of thesame-viz., Z2. These cani-surfaces may be provided on the cam-plate inany suitable way. As shown, the'cam-pl'ate is suitably cut away for thepurpose. When the parts are in proper position, the stud p on the arm Pof the lever P engages with one or another of said cam-surfaces;

The Vcam-plate L is provided with ratchetteeth q on one-halt of itsperiphery, `with which the pawl N on pawl-lev-erN. may be made to engagefor turning the cam-plate.

R is a bail-shaped lever pivoted in lugs r, secured to the case, havingits ,baill portion outside and in position to be made to bear againstthe switch II. lt is provided with a crank-arm R. A light wire S with aloop is attached at one end to the crank-arm R. A coiled spring T hasits body mounted for a base of resistance on the hub of the camplate andhas one of its ends attached to the wire S and the other passed throughthe loop thereon and attached to the pivot-post of the pawl N on leverN. The result is that when the-pawl-lever is thrown forward (upward) toits limit the bail R is also drawn up, forcing the pivoted contact Htightly against the corresponding fixed contact, over which it may be atthe time.

V is a stop fixed tothecase for limiting the throw of the pawl-lever.

\Vis a pointer mounted tightly on the hub of the cam-plate outside theface-plate, with its free end over the dial-plate.

t is a'hard-rubber face on switch I-I.

It should be noted thatthe number of ratchet-teeth correspond to thenumber of exl tra units indicated on the dial-plate and the maximumnumber of extra units of space for which provision is made. It shouldalso be` noted that the shield-lever M is of like radius with thecam-plate and that its outer segmental end may be made to coincidethrough a greater or less portion of it's length with the periphery ofthe cam-plate and prevent the pawl N from engaging with the teeth q.

Hence the number of teeth with which the pawl may be made to engage orthe length of its throw will vary according to the position of theshield-lever M. This position of the shield-lever, in virtue` ofr itsconnection-(by Ml\l' and theslot in stein P) with the lever l, is madeto depend on the corresponding relative position of the cam-studi). Thislever and stud is prevented from moving'to the left out of its properposition by the heel N engaging the proper tooth of l. Note, also, thatthe tension 4on the pivoted contact or switch ll tends to throw it toits outside limit in the slotted arm P.

\Vith the construction in unit and especial attention to the above-notedfeatures and the electric circuits, the operation may be readilyunderstood, which is as follows: When the pointer is at 0, as shown inFig. lll, the cani-plate and the other parts are in the respectivepositions shown in Fig. \'I, the pivI oted contact or switch bearingagainst the twounit fixed contact ll2 and the cam-stud 1J being at theextremity of the notch between cam-- surfaces Z and Z2. This, forconvenience, may be called the normal position. In this p0- sition theoperation of the normal space-key E2 will close a circuit throughstop-magnet b2 and the normal two-unit space will be thrown exactly asit the j ustitier attachment had not been used'. It now the pointer be.turned to 525 on the dial-plate, the camplate will be carriedwith itand all the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. VII, thecam-stud p will be bearing against the cam-surface Z6 at its limit, theswitch H will be bearing against the xed contact H, and the shield-leverM will have been retracted, so as to permit the pawl-lever a throw otfour ot teeth q at a stroke. It' now the normal space-key E2 be struck,the following will result: first, the feed-circuit will be closedthrough LH6 to escapement-magnet b, permitting the escapement B3 to moveto its limit, feeding the matrix-carriage forward six units ,of space,or varying from the normal space between words by four extra units;second, the pawl-lever will throw the cam-plate forward four notches,corresponding to the extra units of space thrown at the feed. As thereare twenty-five teeth on the'cam-plates, it is evident that six strokeson the key would revolve the plate to within one tooth of its normalposition. On the sixth stroke of key E2, in virtue of thelocation of theouter cam-surface Z, the cam-stud p would be struck thereby and forcedtoward the post or center K `until in same radius with cani-Surface Z3,carrying downward the arm lt and throwing upward the shield-lever M tocut o'if from the pawl all except one tooth of the plate. Mean- 'timethe spring T, wire S, and bail R would hold the pivotedlever against 1l6until the completion of the stroke; but the instant the key is releasedand the operating-lever Q and pawl-lever N fall to their lowermostposition the bail R-is released from its tehsion and the pivoted contactH,being free, is instantly thrown by its tension-sprin g to its limit inthe vslotted arm P, and as the arm is one space from normal the free endof the contact ll is over contact 113. 'The seventh stroke closes thecircuit through l1"3 and the feed-magnet b3, throwing in the oneremaining extra unit, and by surface Z, dsc, as before described, bringsall the parts back to their normal position, as

shown in Fig. VI. It is evident t-hat'it there had been twenty-fiveextra units, indicated on the prepared copy, required to be thrown in tojustify the line and there had been eight words (or seven spaces) in theline, the same would have been distributed by the addition ot` fourextra units to each of the first six spaces and one extra unit to thelast. It would rarely ever happen that there would be twenty-tive extraspaces to distribute. The number seldom exceeds fifteen and averagesabout seven or eight." The line willsel- IOO IoV

dom contain less than six words or tive spaces. The device has beenconstructed accordingly.

' Hence for all the camsurfacesls, Z4, and Z5.

ve throws of the pawl are allowed to bring 5 the parts from. the limitof the surface backto normal.` ,For Zi, as before seen, a possible sevenis provided. Suppose there had been l oneextra unit. 'The pointer wouldhave been set overl on the dial, the cam-wheel `would camstud wouldbenear the terminus of camsurface Z3, andthe pivoted contact on fixedcontact il. Then the Erst stroke on the normal space-key would throw inthe extra ,unit and bring all the parts back to normal. Suppose therehad beeniive. One extra would have been added to eachl of tive spaces.Suppose ten extras and five spaces. The cam-stud would work oncalli-surface Z4 and the pivoted contact on H, throwing in two extraunits at each of the five strokes. If fifteen extras and five spaces,itoperates on Z5 and 115, throwing three Iextras at each of the tivestrokes. If twenty, on ls and H6, throwing four extras each stroke. Inother words, the divisionsyare at 5, 10,,and 15. From 1to 5 it throwsoneextra unit of space, from 6 to10 two extras, from 1I to l5 threeextras, and from 16 upward four extras each stroke. Of course it isapparent that if there be six "words (tive spaces) andless-thaniveextras, they will all be distributed between the earlier words o'f theline. So with intermediate numbers between 5andl0,l0and 15, ,l5 and 20.In case there were onlyl tive words, (four spaces,) these intermediateextras would be thrown in uniformly between all the words.

In that event, or other cases where thev line' contains less than sixwords, (live i spaces,) there might be one or two extras left over afterthe last space was struck; but this can, in ,all except rare instances,be entirely 1 avoided by an additional or slightly-differentmanipulation of t hedevice--viz., byadjusting the cam-plate to throw alarger number of extras in all or a part `of the key-strokes. Forexample,supposethelineeontainonlyfour words or three spaces and there betwelve extras. 'lhc operator will first swingthepointer around toitslimit, (or at least past l5,) s0 as to bring cam-surface l into playand the pivoted contact to operateon ll", and then return the pointer to12 on the dial. For each' of three strokes of the key there will be thenthrown in fonr` extras, distributing the entire twelve. Se if thorewereten extras and onlyfour spaces thc pointer would be first turned past lllon the dial and then back to l0, causing surface l and contact Il tooperate for three strokes and Z2 l l2 on the fourth throwing lin threeextras between. the first four-words and two extras between the last twowords.` 'ihe device is therefore within the range of all ordinaryconditions perfectly automatic when properly adjusted at the beginningof theline. 'lhe principle'is of course have been turned one tooth fromnormal, the

tional cam-surfaces and `fixed' contacts the device could be made tothrow five or six extras each stroke. Practical experience hasdemonstrated, however, that the device as shown hassuiiicient range forall ordinary l work. Itl will also be understood that `the circular formis simply a matter of convenience. `The full set off space-keys, from'one to six units, is left on the machine for use in case of necessityin extraordinary instances. For example, it might happen that betweenthe last two words it would be desirable to throw only one unit ot'space instead of thel normal amount oftwo units, the total extras andone more unit having-been thrown in by the justifier between the otherwords. Oi', again, suppose the unusual case of eighteen extras and on1yfonr words, (three spaces.) .Inasmuch as thel highest number of extraswhich the device can add at a throw is four, it is evident that in thatparticular rare instance resort must vbehad to the space-keys,

using `both the normal two-unit plus the'sixunit key for every one ofthree spaces. Such extreme cases require provision to meet, but are ofsuch extremely infrequent occurence as not to make it worth while toadd' addi- 'tional' feed-magnets to the matrix-machine and additionalcontacts and cam-surfaces to thejustifier in order to make f'the sameexhaustive.

The device shown in` Figs, III to IX, inclusive, though designed andshown applied as a justilierfor matrix-machines, is, broadly viewed, anautomatic switchand might be of use otherwise than in matrix-machines.

What we claim, and desire'to secure by Letters Patent,f is as follows:

l. In a matrix-making machine of the class described, the combination,with the differential electric feed `devices and the space-key, of anelectric switch adjustable to close acir- Icuitnthrough any one of saidfeed devices at will and operated from the space-key to distribute thespaces as may be required to justify the liue.- i

2. In ainatrixmaking machine of the class described, the com bination,with the differential electric fced devices land -the normal space-key,of an t electric `switch capable of closing a circuit through one oranother of said feed devices and acam-plate for operatingsaid switch toshift the connection from said normal space-key to some other than thenormal space-feed device.

3. In a 1natrixmaking machine of the class described, theconibinatioinwith the ditferential electricieed deviccs,of. an electricswitch adapted to close a circuit through one or an- IOC other of thefeed devices, a normal space-key in circuit with the switch, and anadjustable 480,350 n i s different cam-surfaces, adapted to be moved rovfrom normal to setthe switch and returnable to normal by a step-by-stepmotion, and a norlcontact to normal position.

mal space-key vin circuit with the switch and havinga connection withthe cam-plate for operating the same te return it to normal position. l

5. An electric switch comprising a pivoted contact, a series ofrelatively xed contacts, a

movable cam-plate having different cam-sur-y faces and ratchettectb,adjustable from nor- Amal position to shift the pivoted contact, and apivoted paWl-earrying lever engageable with said teeth for returningsaid plate and pivoted 6. The combination, with the pivoted contact, ofthe fixed contacts, the adjustable movable cam-plate With diiierent cam-surfaces and 1'atchet-teeth,"the pivoted'pawl-c'arrying leverengageable with said teeth, and-a shield or cut-oit also operatedfromsaid cam-plate to varyJbe eiefctive' throw offthe paWl-lever.

7. The combination, with the pivot/ed contact, of' the fixed contacts,the cam-plate with dilere'nt cam-surfaces and ratchet-tooth, the

`jfii'vdted" awllcarryin g lever, the "teeth-shield or cut-o, theoperating-key, and the connecting-rod to said -pawl-lever, substantiallyas K described.

'8.v The combination, with the pivoted contact under tension to hold itin its normal position, of theiixed contacts, the adjustable camplatcwithdifferent cam-'surfa'ceaas described, the pawl-leveigthe pivotedshield or cut-off provided with angularly-extended arms, the

pivoted lever provided with cam-stud co-operating vwith saidcam-surfaces and slotted to receive a stud from said extended arm, and apivoted bar attached at one end to said camstud lever and providedwith aslot to receive stud-0f the pivoted contact, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the pivoted contact under tension, of the fixedcontacts, the adjustable cam-plate with different cam-surfaces, thcpawl-lever, and a tension device controlled by the paWl-lever to holdthe pivoted contact at the end of the paWl-lever stroke.

10. In a matrix-making,l machine of the class described, thecombination, with the diderential feed devices and the normal space-key,of an automatic switch adj nstable to shift the connection from the saidspace-key to some other than the normal feed device for a certain numberof 'throws and then return to normal for distributing the eXtra spaces,a dial-plate, and a pointer with a connection to the switch for settingthe same at the beginning of the line, substantially as described.

11. The combination,with the pivoted contact, of the fixed contacts, theadjustable camplate with cam-surfaces and ratchet-teeth, the paWl-lever,the dial, and the pointer attached to the cam-plate, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof We aiiix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses. Y

W ILLOUGIIBY W. STREET. CHARLES LESLE TRAVS.

